When St. Jacinta, one of the Fatima seers, was in the hospital dying from the 1918-1920 influenza pandemic and its complications, her cousin Lucia, another seer, brought her a picture of the Blessed Sacrament. “It is the Hidden Jesus,” Jacinta exclaimed. “I love him so much. If only I could receive him in church.” She was “so grieved to be unable to receive Communion in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.” Other than the Precious Blood she received from the Fatima Angel in 1916, she never was able to make her first Holy Communion.

Following is the text of the five prayers given to the children at Fatima:

1) The Fatima Prayer/Decade Prayer
“O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy. Amen.”
Mary told the children that people should add this prayer to the end of each decade of the Rosary.

At the beginning of "Laudato Si', on Care for Our Common Home," Pope Francis explains why he chose St. Francis of Assisi's name when he was elected bishop of Rome: "I believe that Saint Francis is the example par excellence of care for the vulnerable and of an integral ecology lived out joyfully and authentically. He is the patron saint of all who study and work in the area of ecology, and he is also much loved by non-Christians. He was particularly concerned for God's creation and for the poor and outcast." (10)

This past week, my mother underwent some pretty serious back surgery. It’s been needed for some time, but like many other surgeries, it was delayed because of the current pandemic. As things are slowly being returning to some degree of normal, previous things are being picked up again.

But, of course, it’s all different.

Ourr Blessed Mother offers us her hand whenever we reach out with the Rosary.

According to popes and exorcists, the devil fears the Blessed Mother.

As World Day of Prayer for Vocations has been observed, people are being encouraged to say “yes” to God’s call.

Sunday, 3 May, marked the 57th World Day of Prayer for Vocations. It is a day that is set aside by the Church to encourage people to reflect and discern God's call to them.

Over the course of his Pontificate, Pope Francis has spoken many times about the call to priesthood and religious life.

As painful as the decision was to suspend all public Masses in the Archdiocese of Denver, the process was straight-forward and necessary for the common good.

When health restrictions are eased and we are able to start gathering together again, it is important for everyone to understand that things won’t immediately go back to normal.

Pope Francis has provided two prayers to Our Lady Virgin Mary that can be recited at the end of the Rosary, and in the month of May, in spiritual union with all of you.

The FIRST PRAYER

O Mary,
You shine continuously on our journey
as a sign of salvation and hope.

With the pandemic causing many people to feel helpless, bishops around the world are showing their faithful that it is always time to turn to prayer.On May 1, the bishops of the United States and Canada will consecrate the two countries to Mary, Mother of the Church. The bishops’ conferences from the two countries decided to coordinate their act of consecration to make “a most meaningful and powerful intercession.” Every bishop in Canada and the US will consecrate their own diocese to Mary.